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Aurora, Colorado

Looking for the best running in Aurora? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Aurora. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Running Spots in and near Aurora

  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike the Mountain Lion Trail

    6.7 mi / 1230 ft gain
    There are three parking lots with direct access to the Mountain Lion Trail. The main one is off of Crawford Gulch Road, but any of them are good starting points!  This loop has pretty similar elevation gain and loss profiles no matter which way you go, so you can go any direction. This adventure ...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Trail Run Near Boulder - NCAR Hill Climb

    4.5
    2 mi / 700 ft gain
    The NCAR Hill Climb, so named because it ends at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, is popular with cyclists, but is a great choice for runners as well. Follow the NCAR - Table Mesa Trail to the top, with beautiful views of the Flatirons and surrounding hills during any season.Make sur...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike to the 1st Flatiron

    4.6
    2.4 mi / 1422 ft gain
    Starting at the ever-popular and ever-populated Chautauqua Trailhead, take the main trail (a highway version of a dirt trail) straight towards the Flatirons. Continue going straight passed the Ski Jump trail to your right (0.2 mi.), then at a crossroads with the Bluebell-Baird trail (0.3 mi.) tur...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail

    5.45 mi / 2313 ft gain
    Green Mountain via Gregory Canyon and Ranger Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike or Bike the Walker Ranch Loop

    4.7
    7.7 mi / 1740 ft gain
    When it comes to hiking trails in Boulder, the standard response usually consists of either Chautauqua Park or Mt. Sanitas, and while both offer excellent hiking options, they are both usually jam packed on the weekends. If you’re looking to stay close to the city, but want a little more seclusio...
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  • Golden, Colorado

    Hike Beaver Trail in Golden Gate Canyon State Park

    2.3 mi / 1046 ft gain
    This trail starts off at Slough Pond, a great fishing pond or picnic spot. The trail starts out tree-covered. After a few tenths of a mile you have the choice to go clockwise or counter-clockwise. If you go counter-clockwise you have about 3/4 of a mile of steep uphill hiking to do (the Park rate...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Red Rocks Loop Trail

    3.7
    1 mi
    Parking is available on either Canyon or Sunshine Roads. During the weekends it tends to get crowded around sunset so plan accordingly. The entire trail is a loop and is a little over 1 mile in length so it doesn't take too long. The main feature is the massive red sand stone rocks that jut out o...
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  • Pine, Colorado

    Dispersed Camp at the Buffalo Creek Area in Pike National Forest

    3.8
    50 miles from Denver, nestled in Pike National Forest, there are dozens of free dispersed camping sites. With quick access to the Colorado Trail and Buffalo Creek Mountain Bike Area, these campsites make for a perfect weekend getaway. The campsites begin on Forest Road 550, and are clearly marked...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Loop & Settlers Park

    4.4
    3.83 mi / 1371 ft gain
    First off, these are two different hikes but both stem from the same parking lot and Settlers Park is a mere 5 minutes away from where you park so why not kill two birds with one stone? One of the more popular hikes in Boulder, Mount Sanitas is a 3 mile hike that quickly scales nearly 1,350 feet...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop

    1.26 mi / 459 ft gain
    Red Rocks and Anemone Trail Loop is a loop trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Sunshine Lion's Lair Loop

    5.0
    5.05 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This is a mix of trails that will bring you on an easy loop to the peak of Mt Sanitas, but will keep you away from the usual crowds of the more well-known paths up. The hike is a clear path that brings you 5+ miles from around 5,500 ft in elevation to 6,800.  You'll start at the Centennial Trail...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas + Sunshine Canyon loop

    5.03 mi / 1257 ft gain
    This loop takes you up Sunshine Canyon, a milder and less crowded grade when compared to the popular Sanitas ridge. You'll head up the canyon for a bit before reaching the terminus of the canyon trail -- where you'll cross the road to pick up on the Lions Lair connector. Continue following this u...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Mount Sanitas Peak Trail

    2.57 mi / 1296 ft gain
    Explore the natural wonders of Boulder, Colorado, with the Mount Sanitas Peak Trail hike. This trail offers stunning vistas of the Rocky Mountain wilderness and Colorado's Front Range. This hike is just over 2.5 miles with about 1300 feet of elevation gain.  Parking and Access: Start your hik...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Hike the Eagle Sage Loop

    4.3
    3.75 mi / 205 ft gain
    This is a great trail if you are in the Boulder area and want something fairly easy or quick. This 3.75 loop can be hiked in about an hour and a half since it is fairly flat. The elevation gain is minimal. You start out at the Eagle Trailhead located west of the Boulder Reservoir.Start out at the...
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Wonderland Lake Trail

    5.0
    1.85 mi / 98 ft gain
    Wonderland Lake Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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  • Boulder, Colorado

    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail

    2.93 mi / 223 ft gain
    Foothills Trail to Wonderland Lake Loop Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Boulder, Colorado.
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